Get all your news in one place.
100’s of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
Motorsport
Motorsport
Sport

Bagnaia: “Even if it means losing the title, I’m not willing to race in Valencia”

Double MotoGP world champion Francesco Bagnaia has said he will boycott the season finale if it goes ahead in flood-hit Valencia as planned.

The factory Ducati rider, who is currently trying to reel in Pramac Ducati’s Jorge Martin as he chases a third straight title, is one of several to have voiced ethical concerns about sticking to the planned Valencia venue given the current flooding and loss of life in the region.

Despite the concerns of these riders and others in the paddock at this weekend's penultimate event in Malaysia, Autosport understands that staging the race in Valencia remains the priority for MotoGP organisers – even if this means postponing the date from the originally planned November 15-17 weekend.

Having already outlined his moral issue with a Valencia race in the pre-Malaysian Grand Prix press conference on Thursday, Bagnaia dropped the bombshell on the first day of track action at Sepang. 

Circuit Ricardo Tormo after flooding (Photo by: Paco Alcobendas)

“Even at the cost of losing the ultimate goal for me, which is to win the title, I am not willing to race in Valencia,” said the Italian, who trails Martin by 17 points ahead of the Malaysian GP.

“I very much hope that they will take into consideration the fact that on an ethical level and with what is happening it is not the right thing to do.” 

While Martin has said it would be better to race elsewhere, he confirmed on Friday that he would take part in the race if it goes ahead in Valencia.

"It is a very delicate situation, both for us riders and for Dorna. It seems very difficult and hard to go to Valencia, for everyone. I [will follow] the decision of Dorna and the government. If in the end they decide to hold the race there, we will have to go."

Bagnaia got his weekend in Malaysia off to a perfect start on Friday by going fastest in FP1 and then ensuring his passage into Q2 by topping the times in Practice.

Martin was second-fastest in the latter session after falling in an attempt to respond to Bagnaia’s late time.

The points leader’s best lap was however just 0.050s slower than that of the man pursuing him for the title.

“All year long we’ve been neck and neck with Jorge,” reflected Bagnaia. “We are used to these fights.”

Bagnaia was then asked if leading both sessions was intended as a psychological strategy.

“It’s difficult to go out looking to finish first in both sessions on Friday,” he said. “I’ve only done it before at Assen.

“Jorge ended up crashing, but I don’t think it was because of this. There is always a bit of pressure, it’s normal. But our goal is to win, not to intimidate anyone.”

Photos from Malaysian GP Practice

Francesco Bagnaia, Ducati Team
Jorge Martin, Pramac Racing
Francesco Bagnaia, Ducati Team
Andrea Iannone, VR46 Racing Team
Marc Marquez, Gresini Racing
Fabio Quartararo, Yamaha Factory Racing
Jorge Martin, Pramac Racing
Lorenzo Savadori, Trackhouse Racing
Francesco Bagnaia, Ducati Team
Jorge Martin, Pramac Racing crash
Luigi Dall'lgna Team Manager Ducati
Marco Bezzecchi, VR46 Racing Team
Raul Fernandez, Trackhouse Racing, Maverick Vinales, Aprilia Racing
Jorge Martin, Pramac Racing
Luca Marini, Repsol Honda Team
Augusto Fernandez, Tech3 GASGAS Factory Racing
Maverick Vinales, Aprilia Racing
Johann Zarco, LCR Honda
Fabio Quartararo, Yamaha Factory Racing
Marc Marquez, Gresini Racing
Jorge Martin, Pramac Racing
Marc Marquez, Gresini Racing
Jorge Martin, Pramac Racing
Brad Binder, Red Bull KTM Factory Racing crash
Johann Zarco, LCR Honda Team
Fabio Quartararo, Yamaha Factory Racing
Brad Binder, Red Bull KTM Factory Racing
Marc Marquez, Gresini Racing
Francesco Bagnaia, Ducati Team
Alex Marquez, Gresini Racing
Andrea Iannone, VR46 Racing Team, Marco Bezzecchi, VR46 Racing Team.
Augusto Fernandez, Tech3 GASGAS Factory Racing
Jorge Martin, Pramac Racing
Jorge Martin, Pramac Racing
Alex Rins, Yamaha Factory Racing
Francesco Bagnaia, Ducati Team
Alex Marquez, Gresini Racing
Jorge Martin, Pramac Racing
Lorenzo Savadori, Trackhouse Racing
Raul Fernandez, Trackhouse Racing, Maverick Vinales, Aprilia Racing
Francesco Bagnaia, Ducati Team
Alex Marquez, Gresini Racing
Pedro Acosta, Tech3 GASGAS Factory Racing
Marc Marquez, Gresini Racing
Francesco Bagnaia, Ducati Team
Alex Marquez, Gresini Racing
Augusto Fernandez, Red Bull GASGAS Tech3
Jorge Martin, Pramac Racing
Maverick Vinales, Aprilia Racing
Alex Marquez, Gresini Racing
Raul Fernandez, Trackhouse Racing
51
Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100’s of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
One subscription that gives you access to news from hundreds of sites
Already a member? Sign in here
Our Picks
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.